Latch



Sept. 27, 1949. c. LEDINI 2,483,368

LATCH Filed March 9, 194a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V I INVENTQR I Al'/J. Zea #7 BYWMM ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1949 7 LATCH Charles Ledin,

Stamford, Conn, assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn,

a corporation of Connecticut Application March 9, 1946, Serial No. 653,249

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a latch, and more particularly to that type of latch that is adapted for operation by a depressible thumb piece. More particularly, my invention relates to a tubular type of latch in which the latch bolt is housed in a tube adapted for insertion in a simple bore formed in a door, and for operation by a spindle or other means inserted in a transverse simple bore.

A feature of my invention resides in the utilization of a pair of co-axially mounted rollbacks carried by the casing of the latch, with one rollback adapted for rotation by a knob operated spindle of the latch, while the other rollback is adapted for rotation by a thumb piece.

As a further feature of the invention, the spindle rotated rollback is adapted for rotation in opposed directions, and when rotated in one direction will directly retract the latch bolt, while when rotated in the opposite direction will retract the latch bolt only through the intermediary of the other rollback. It is a still further feature of this part of the invention that the said other rollback is rotated in a bolt retracting direction by operation of the thumb piece, and for the particular purpose the latch casing preferably supports for pivotal movement a lever that is contacted by the thumb piece for rotating the rollback to retract the latch bolt.

Where the thumb piece must rotate a knob and spindle incidental to its operation to retract a latch bolt, it is obvious that the thumb piece action will be quite hard. It is a further feature of the invention that the retraction of the latch bolt by the thumb piece will not effect a movement of the knob rotated spindle and knob. Therefore, the thumb piece will have a relatively easy action.

A still further feature of this part of my invention resides in the mounting of the knob rotated spindle relatively to the rollbacks so that only one rollback will be coupled to the spindle to rotate with the spindle, the other rollback being rotatable independently of the spindle tocontribute the easy action of the thumb piece.

A still further feature of the invention resides in means for retaining or securing the spindle relatively to one of the rollbacks against endwise movement relatively thereto.

I have thus outlined the general nature of my invention and its relation, to the prior art in order that the description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims apretractor the casing pended thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized by those skilled in the art as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an endwise View of a door in which is mounted the latch of my invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken along lines Z- 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View of the parts of Fig. 2 showing the latch bolt retracted by operation of the thumb piece. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are sections taken respectively along lines 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6 of Fig 2. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of parts of the latch Referring .now more particularly to the drawings, the latch casing ill of my invention is mounted within a bore ll formed in a door D. The front of the latch'casing I0 is formed with a flange 2 to which is secured a decorative plate l3, a pair of screws I4 serving to fasten the decorative plate It and the flanges l2 to the edge of the door and thereby to secure the casing in Within the bore H. Slidably mounted within I0 is a latch bolt B formed with a head l5, a main body It and a flange H. A latch bolt retractor it, best shown in Fig. 7, is formed with inwardly extending shoulders [9 adapted to overlie the flange I! so that movement of the retractor to the right from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3 will move the latch bolt B to the right and. carry the head I5 out of looking position.

Retraction of the latch bolt spring 20, best shown in abutment 2| B is resisted by a Fig. 4 as lying between an formed as a part of the latch housing l0, and a surface 22 of the latch bolt flange IT. The movement of the retractor [8 together with the latch bolt B is resisted by a further spring 23 extending about a guide pin 24 that is supported by the abutment 2! and in a bore 25 of the retractor I 8. It is obvious that movement of the retractor into the position of Fig. 3 will be in opposition to both the spring mechanism so far described is conventional, and per se is not my invention herein to be claimed.

The latch casing I0 is formed as shown in Fig. 6 with a bearing surface 26 for supporting for retation a rollback 21 best shown in Fig. 7. The casing H! is further formed with a bearing portion 28 for supporting for rotation a rollback 29 that is also best illustrated in Fig. '7.

The rollback 29 is formed with a shoulder 30 that is adapted to cooperate with a lug 3! on the 18, so that clockwise rotation of the 23 and the spring 20. The

rollback 29 will move the retractor l8 to its position of Fig. 3 to retract the latch bolt B. The shoulder 33 is part of an extension 32 of the rollback 29, this extension being further provided with a shoulder 33 for co-action with a lug 35 on the rollback 21. Thus, when the rollback 21 is rotated clockwise, it will contact the shoulder 33 and rotate the rollback 29 clockwise, and this will, of course, effect a retraction of the-retractor and the latch bolt as previously described. Rollback 21, when rotated in a reverse or counter"- clockwise direction will retract the retractor independently of the rollback 29. Thus, the surface 34a of lug 34 will contact a second lug 35 on the retractor l8 and will move the retract'or to move the latch bolt to its position of Fig". 3'.

For rotating the rollback 36 extending from a knob 31 into a square opening 38 formed in the said rollback 21. The end of the spindle 36 is formed with a threaded bore 39 for housing a screwfl, the screw 4 E holding in position alimit washer M that rests againstthe end surface of thespindlle-3$1 It is of course, obvious from Fig. 6- thatthe screw to and the washer 41' will prevent movement of the spindle to the left outwardly of" the square opening 33- of the rollback 2 1 It will now be readily appreciatedthatrotation of thespindl'ev 36: must rotate rollback 21-, and that when this rotation is counterclockwise, the surface retractor lug 35' tomove. theretracton l8 and withdraw the latch bolt to its: position of Fig. 3. It will be further obvious: thatwhen the spindle is rotated clockwise; the lug 3 of the rollback 21 will contact the shoulder MLi-omningt part of the rollback 251i to rotate the rollback 29. clockwise. tact the lug 3i and moveright from: theposition of? Fig. 2: to. the position of Fig. 3; thereby retrating thelatch' bolt.

It willbe noted. that whilezthe spindle 36 is in driving engagement with; the. rollback 21, it' is freely rotatable relatively to: the. rollback 29; because: the rollback 29-.is formed a large bore 42, the surface of which is. completely out of contact with the spindle when: rotated clockwise from: its position of Fig: 2' will not impart rotation tor the spindle 36-, and the knob 312 will:- not. be rotated.v This relationship of the parts isi'mportant because I arrange .1

for the clockwise rotation of. the rollback 29 independently of the spindle 3% by' a thumb piece, thus contributing the easy action thumb piece to which I have already alluded;

Referring now especially to; Figs. 13,. 2', 6, andi7, I secure to the door D a handle. 43', this handle being carried by a lower-escutcheon plate 44 and. an upper escutcheon. plate &5. Suitably pivoted on the upper escutcheon: plate 45 in the conventional manner understood: in: the: art, is a. thumbpiece 48 having a lever: portion 41; The door is cut away as at 48 to allow for free movement-of. that lever portion 11? between: its: positions of Figs. 2 and 3 Fri-voted on the latch bolt. casing at 49 is a lever 50' that extends'througlt an opening 5-! of the latchbolt casing I 0 and is pressed by surface 32 of rollback 29 against the lever portion 41 of the thumb piece fifi asis best illustrated in Figs. 2' and 6'. Upon depression of the-thumb piece 45 the lever portion will, of course; be'raised from the positionof Fig. 2' to the position-of Fig. 3, and will rotate the lever 58- clockwi'se about its pivot 49. The surface 50w of the lever 50 will then through its contact with the undersurf'ace oi the extension 32 of therollback Z9=rotate the rollback 21,. I: utilize a spindler 3A0,- will contact, the

Of course; the shoulder 30 will then con the retractor' tothe 36; Therefore; rollback 29 29 to its position illustrated in Fig. 3. Of course, the retractor 3 will be moved to the right and will withdraw the latch bolt from latching position.

It is now obvious that I provide a simple type of tubular latch having a latch bolt that is readily retractable by a knob and thumb piece, with the thumb piece retracting the latch bolt independently of the knob and without effecting any movement of the knob. Similarly, it is quite obvious that the retraction Of the latch bolt by the knob will be independent of the thumb piece. I believe my invention will now be understood by those skilled in'thearli.

Inow'claim:

1. In a latch of" the class described, a casing, a latchi bolt slidabl'ein said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for rotation in said casing in: a common axis, means whereby said rollbacks retract said latchbolt when rotated relatively to saidl casing, a spindle for rotating one ofi said rollbacks, a lever for rotating the second of said rollbacksl mounted on said casing, and a thumbpiecef-or actuating said lever.

2; In a latch of the class described}. a. casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position. and. a. retracted; position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said: latch bolt when it is rotated in: one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt: when rotated. in: a reverse direction, and means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latchv bolt when: rotated in; said one direction.

3. In a latch: of the class described; a casing,

:a latch: bolt slidable in said casing between a spring. projected; position: and; a retracted positi'0n av pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacksfor coaxial rotation in said: casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it. is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second: rollback retracts saidi latch bolt when rotated in: a reverse direction, means whereby the second; rollbackzrotates' the firstrollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said. one direction, a. spindle for rotating the second rollback in both directions; and a thumb piece for rotating the first rollback in said one direction.

4. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable; insaid casing between a spring projected position.- and aretracted' position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said. latch bolt when it is rotated: in. one direction, means whereby the: second rollback retracts said latch bolt when. rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second: rollback rotates: the first rollback to retract the l'atclr bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle for rotating the second rollback in both directions, 'a lever pivoted on said casing and adapted when: rotated on its pivot to rotate said first rollback in said one direction, and a; thumb" piece for rotating said lever. 1

5. In a latch of the classdesc "bed, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in saidcasing betweena spring projected position and aretracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle for rotating the second rollback in both directions, a lever pivoted on said casing and adapted when rotated on its pivot to rotate said first rollback in said one direction, said lever having a portion extending outwardly of said casing, and a thumb piece for contacting the outwardly extending portion of said lever to rotate said lever.

6. Ina latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt When rotated in said one direction, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks with the opening in the first rollback sufficiently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith in both directions.

7. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted posi- 1 tion, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks with the opening in the first rollback sufliciently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith in both directions, and a thumb piece for rotating the first rollback in said one direction.

8. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks with the opening in the first rollback sufiiciently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith in both directions, a lever pivoted on said casing and adapted when rotated on its pivot to rotate said first rollback in said one direction, and a thumb piece for rotating said lever.

9. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing,

means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means 5 whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks with the opening in the first rollback sufiiciently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith in both directions, a lever pivoted on said casing and adapted when rotated on its pivot to rotate said first rollback in said one direction, said lever having a portion extending outwardly of said casing, and a thumb piece for contacting the outwardly extending portion of said lever to rotate said lever.

10. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for rotation in said casing in a common axis, means whereby said rollbacks retract said latch bolt when rotated relatively to said casing, a spindle inserted into one of said rollbacks for rotating said rollback, operating means independent of said spindle mounted on said casing and operable for rotating the other of said rollbacks, and a thumb piece for actuating said operating means.

11. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby said rollbacks retract said latch bolt when rotated relatively to said casing, a spindle for rotating one of said rollbacks, a lever pivoted on sa1d casing and adapted when rotated on its pivot to rotate the other rollback, said lever having a portion extending outwardly of said casing, and a thumb piece for contacting the outwardly extending portion of said lever to rotate said lever.

12. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby said rollbacks retract said latch bolt when rotated relatively to said casing, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks w1th the opening in the first rollback sufiiciently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith.

13. In a latch of the class described, a casing, a latch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing, means whereby said rollbacks retract said latch bolt when rotated relatively to said casing, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbacks with the opening in the first rollback sufiiciently large to allow free rotation of said spindle relatively thereto while the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to the spindle for rotation therewith, and a thumb piece for rotating the first 75 rollback.

l 14; In a latch of the class described; a casing, alatch bolt slidable in said casing between a spring projected position and a retracted position, a pair of rollbacks, means mounting said rollbacks for coaxial rotation in said casing,

means whereby one rollback retracts said latch bolt when it is rotated in one direction, means whereby the second rollback retracts said latch bolt when rotated in a reverse direction, means whereby the second rollback rotates the first rollback to retract the latch bolt when rotated in said one direction, a spindle traversing openings in both said rollbackswith the opening in the first rollback sufficientlylarge to allow free r0- tation of said spindle relatively thereto While the second rollback opening couples the second rollback to thespindle for rotation therewith inboth directions, the said spindle terminating substantially at the outer surface of said second rollback, and a limit member secured to said spindle and bearing against the outer surface of said second rollback.

20 Number Name Date 1,777,776 Van Dooren Oct. 7, 1930 1,843,143 Rymer Feb. 2, 1932' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

